Rogers State University’s Allied Health program announced that eight students have been accepted into graduate schools for physical therapy, occupational therapy and athletic training. RSU’s Bachelor of Science in Allied Health Sciences was established in 2019.
The pre-athletic training students include Mya Hilderbrand, from Owasso; and Sabrina Anguiano, from Riverside, CA. The Pre-physical therapy students include Maisie Schroeder, from Hartford, KS; Kaylee Bobbitt, from Greenville, TX; Abigail Taylor, from Midwest City; Elexis Watson, from Muskogee; and Yasmy McHenry, from Owasso. Claremore native Breanna farmer will attend graduate school for pre-occupational therapy.
These students join more than 150 RSU graduates who have advanced to medically related graduate or professional schools including medicine, dentistry, physician’s assistant, pharmacy, optometry and physical therapy.
“We tailored this degree to meet the demand of exercise science related fields. Many RSU graduates are successful professions in these fields. However, we recognized that a formalized program would best prepare our students to excel in graduate school,” Dr. Susan Willis, dean of the school of professional studies, said. “In the first year, we had more than 100 students enrolled in the program.”
RSU’s rigorous course training prepares students for success beyond their undergraduate field of study, offering classes most allied health programs do not.
“We offer an Advanced Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries where we look deeply into the different injuries a person or athlete could suffer and how to prevent or treat it,” Instructor Brian Coley said. “In biomechanics we spend a lot of time on video analysis and studying how the body moves. We also offer an advanced strength and conditioning class that prepares the student to take the national certified strength and conditioning specialist exam if they so choose.”
Allied Health faculty are specialized in the fields they teach, giving students the opportunity to learn firsthand field knowledge. Coley serves as an instrumental advisor and mentor for the program. With more than 30 years of professional experience across the state of Oklahoma and throughout the region, he brings his real-world connections into the classroom. Coley is a past president of the Oklahoma Athletic Trainers’ Association and was recognized by his peers with induction into the Oklahoma Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame.
Shadowing, internships and observations are required curriculum that allows students to gain hands on training in their respective fields. RSU partners with area businesses aiding in field experience for the Allied Health students. Local business include Advanced Orthopedic Physical Therapy, Per4formance Physical Therapy, Summit Physical Therapy, Redbud Physical Therapy, Summit Pediatric Therapy, Pryor High School and Collinsville High School.
RSU’s Allied Health program is hosting a summer camp for athletic training student aides July 11-14 for students entering grades 9-12. The camp will be an opportunity to educate high school students who may have an interest in the profession of athletic training. The camp will be led by Certified Athletic Trainers who will instruct students in classroom and hands-on activities to learn more about the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of athletic injuries.
For more information about RSU’s Allied Health program, visit www.rsu.edu/allied-health-sciences. To learn more about the athletic training camp, contact Kendall Ragsdale at 918-343-7631 or [email protected].